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As York's first elected female mayor, Betty Marshall was a role model to others

Bracey: It's an honor to 'follow in the footsteps that she trailblazed'

By ED MAHON Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
03/30/2013 10:18:35 PM EDT

Former York Mayor Betty Marshall, with her portrait in the background, was active in the York community beyond serving it as an elected official. ( DAILY RECORD SUNDAY NEWS -- FILE)

York, PA -

Earlier this month, a group of Girl Scout Brownies visited York City Hall.

York Mayor Kim Bracey said she showed them the wall of city mayors, singling out Betty Marshall's photo.

She told them that Marshall was the city's first elected female mayor, and they too could be elected mayor.

"They just got a kick out of that," Bracey said on Saturday.

Marshall died Friday at the age of 94. She leaves a legacy of political and community activism. She also serves as a role model for others, said Bracey.

"To be able to follow in the footsteps that she trailblazed is certainly an honor," said Bracey, the city's first black mayor, and the second woman elected to the position.

Bracey is running for re-election as mayor this year, and in the primary she faces fellow Democrat Carol Hill-Evans, the first black woman to serve on York City Council.

Hill-Evans said Marshall's election as York mayor opened up doors for Bracey, Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson and herself.

"It goes to show the character of the woman, .... the strength that she had, the absolute courage that she had," said Hill-Evans.

Bob Kefauver was 15 years old when Marshall was elected mayor of York in 1977. She was sworn in to office the following January.

"I have this clear memory of how excited my mom was, how delighted she was to see someone break through that glass ceiling," said Kefauver, chairman of the York County Democratic Party.

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Kefauver said Pennsylvania still ranks low compared to other states in the percentage of women in public office.

"That's something that clearly needs to change. It's long overdue," he said.

Kefauver pointed to the recent election of Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a Democrat, as a sign of success.

York County female public officials include Bev Mackereth, a former Spring Grove mayor and Republican state representative who was named acting secretary of the Department of Public Welfare by Gov. Tom Corbett in February.

There are female state legislators across Pennsylvania, but state Sen. Pat Vance is the only one who represents part of York County in the General Assembly.

"I definitely think it's gotten better," said Vance, a Republican who lives in Cumberland County and represents a district that includes part of northwestern York County.

She said she's always concerned whenever someone puts "woman" before someone's title. The same wouldn't happen for a man in that position, she said.

Bracey said politics is still a field very much dominated by men. She said sometimes when she walks into a room, people are surprised that she's the mayor.

Former York Mayor Betty Marshall throws a pitch at a Phillies game in this undated photo. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS -- FILE)

But she said that while there are challenges to being a woman in public office now, there were likely more in Marshall's time.

"I recognize that. And I thank her for setting the tone, and setting the way for me," said Bracey.

Passing along a book

Kim Bracey remembers the day when she was inaugurated, and Betty Marshall was one of the people who braved the cold for that outdoor ceremony in January of 2010.

"It meant everything for her to be there," Bracey said.

Marshall gave Bracey a book, "Political Influence: A New Theory of Urban Politics," for the occasion. It was the same copy of the book that was given to Marshall in the 1970s by the late Frederick D. Holliday, the first black superintendent of city schools.

Marshall wrote a note, wishing the best for Bracey, the city and its citizens.

Bracey said she keeps the book on her desk.

"I'll treasure it," she said.

About Betty Marshall

Born: 1918

Family: Late husband, Howard; two sons and a daughter

Known for: Becoming the first elected female mayor of York (elected 1977) and the first woman on city council (elected 1971).

Education: Certificate from Lowell Commercial College in Lowell, Mass.

Honors/awards/recognition: Was among the first group of mayors selected by the U.S. State Department to visit Hungary in a program to visit countries behind the Iron Curtain.

Community involvement: She was a volunteer with the York YWCA, York Little Theatre and Wilson Elementary School PTA. She was active in the League of Women Voters and served on the board of the National Organization for Women and York's first Charette symposium to address urban issues. Active participant in the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities.